Sunday, January 13, 2019

Paris gas blast toll rises to four after body found in rubble

Firefighters and cleaners of the city of Paris gather at the scene the day after a powerful gas explosion tore through a building in central Paris on January 13, 2019. The blast killed at least four people, injured dozens of people and badly damaged nearby apartments, officials said. Around 200 firefighters were

mobilised to battle the fire that broke out after the blast and evacuate victims and residents in the area.Thomas SAMSON / AFP

Two firefighters and a Spanish tourist were also killed in the massive blast that gutted part of a building, injured dozens more people and badly damaged nearby apartments.

Rescue workers with sniffer dogs had earlier been searching for a missing woman who lived above the point of Saturday’s explosion and who was believed to be in the rubble.

A source close to the investigation said it was still to be confirmed if the body was of the missing woman.

Around 50 people were injured in the explosion and around 150 were evacuated from the area and housed in temporary accommodation because of damage to nearby buildings.

A fire service spokesman said the building hit by the blast needed to be reinforced as clearing operations in the area could continue for about a week.

The Paris ninth district is home to restaurants and tourist attractions including the Musee Grevin wax museum and the popular Rue des Martyrs.